icipe has appointed Dr Amanuel Tamiru as Senior Scientist, Push-Pull Programme. Dr Tamiru will assume leadership of the Push-Pull programme, from 1st January 2024. He conducts cutting-edge research in plant signaling and insect-plant interactions, employing the latest behavioural and chemical ecology techniques. He has discovered, for the first time, that insect-egg deposition induces the production of bioactive volatiles attractive to parasitic wasps in some maize cultivars and elucidated underpinning molecular mechanisms. His other key discoveries include elucidating the underpinning chemical ecology mechanisms of the ‘Push-Pull’ cropping system... More..

` The icipe meeting with Homabay county government is a crucial step towards community level integration push-pull technology (PPT) for achieving food security for farmers. Through this collaboration, we aim to (1) demonstrate and implement landscape level model Push Pull Technology (PPT) adoption (2) conduct participatory action research on landscape level integration of PPT using key production constraints (striga, stemborer, fall armyworm, poor soil fertility, fodder shortage) as entry point (3) establish a farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange hub for effective scaling out of PPT. This partnership will have a ripple effect, empowering farmers, improve their livelihood and uplifting many out of poverty. Together, we can make a significant impact on the food security landscape and reduce poverty, livelihoods and climate change resilience in the sub-Saharan region of East Africa, while reducing the environmental impact of agricultural practices. For this, it fosters the design, adaptation and adoption of strategies for integrated agro-ecological management based on push-pull technology for wide-spread and climate-resilient sustainable intensification

Kenya's 3rd Annual National Multi-Actor Community of Practice (MAC) Workshop held at Kisumu Hotel.UPSCALE aims to take key steps to realize the transformative potential of push-pull technology, to address food security, livelihoods and climate change resilience in the sub-Saharan region of East Africa, while reducing the environmental impact of agricultural practices. For this, it fosters the design, adaptation and adoption of strategies for integrated agro-ecological management based on push-pull technology for wide-spread and climate-resilient sustainable intensification.... More..

On 31 October 2023, the Governing Council of icipe granted to Prof. Zeyaur Khan an Emeritus Scientist position in recognition of his sustained and distinguished service to icipe and for his past and continuing research on understanding of the complex mechanisms mediating insect-plant and plant-plant chemical interactions in smallholder production systems of sub-Saharan Africa and using this knowledge to develop an integrated climate smart pest and weed management push-pull farming system, and for his contribution to capacity building and mentoring the next generation of African scientists.

"We talked about the fall armyworm and destruction it is causing. While every other farmer is experiencing huge losses, my crop has not been attached. The difference between my farm and other farms is that I grow desmodium , a pest repellant crop", said a Push-pull farmer